How to hire a chief scientist

How to hire a chief scientist, step by step

Here's a step-by-step chief scientist hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a chief scientist job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new chief scientist
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a chief scientist do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your chief scientist job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a chief scientist for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a chief scientist to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a chief scientist that fits the bill.

   This list presents chief scientist salaries for various positions.

   Type of Chief Scientist	Description	Hourly rate
   Chief Scientist	Medical scientists conduct research aimed at improving overall human health. They often use clinical trials and other investigative methods to reach their findings.	$33-80
   Doctoral Fellow	A doctoral fellow is a physician that has completed studies and receives a fellowship to cover his/her or her expenses while completing his/her or her medical dissertation. A doctor fellow undergoes this fellowship to get additional training for their chosen sub-specialty... Show more	$18-34
   Fellow	A fellow's responsibility will depend on the organization or industry where one belongs. However, most of the time, a fellow's duty will revolve around conducting research and analysis, presiding discussions and attending dialogues, handle lectures while complying with the guidelines or tasks set by supervisors, and assist in various projects and activities... Show more	$22-44

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • DOD
   • RF
   • IC
   • R
   • Strategic Plan
   • Technical Direction
   • IR
   • Computer Vision
   • Architecture
   • Algorithm Development
   • DARPA
   • Research Projects
   • Adaptive
   • Systems Engineering

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage sample inventory via in-house laboratory information management system (LIMS) and implement additional systems for sample and chemical organization.
   • Conduct research and analyze data to identify potential biomarkers and provide input for selection of candidates for non-clinical studies development.
   • Manage sample inventory via in-house laboratory information management system (LIMS) and implement additional systems for sample and chemical organization.

   More chief scientist duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your chief scientist job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A chief scientist can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, chief scientists' average salary in hawaii is 55% less than in new jersey.
   • Seniority. Entry-level chief scientists 59% less than senior-level chief scientists.
   • Certifications. A chief scientist with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a chief scientist's salary.

   Average chief scientist salary

   $108,046yearly

   $51.95 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level chief scientist salary

   $69,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 31, 2025

   Average chief scientist salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$131,652	$63
   2	Tennessee	$99,231	$48
   3	Massachusetts	$97,283	$47
   4	Indiana	$97,094	$47
   5	District of Columbia	$93,205	$45
   6	Pennsylvania	$92,431	$44
   7	New York	$92,326	$44
   8	Washington	$91,694	$44
   9	Virginia	$89,576	$43
   10	Ohio	$82,972	$40
   11	Colorado	$81,368	$39
   12	Illinois	$79,995	$38
   13	West Virginia	$77,975	$37
   14	Texas	$77,662	$37
   15	Florida	$68,775	$33
   16	Utah	$65,676	$32
   17	South Carolina	$63,880	$31
   18	Georgia	$60,040	$29

   Average chief scientist salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Uber Technologies	$133,732	$64.29	4
   2	General Electric	$120,393	$57.88	88
   3	Battelle	$119,128	$57.27	15
   4	USU Solutions	$117,861	$56.66
   5	Oak Ridge National Laboratory	$116,999	$56.25	5
   6	Systems & Technology Research	$116,557	$56.04
   7	JANUS Research Group	$116,235	$55.88	2
   8	MITRE	$114,572	$55.08	4
   9	Santec, Inc.	$114,510	$55.05
   10	Instabase	$113,916	$54.77
   11	SecureLogix	$111,372	$53.54
   12	BAE Systems	$110,726	$53.23	30
   13	The Nature Conservancy	$108,576	$52.20
   14	Security Innovation	$106,029	$50.98
   15	General Dynamics	$104,049	$50.02	27
   16	Innovative Genomics Institute	$102,172	$49.12
   17	Afiniti	$102,078	$49.08
   18	ManTech	$100,574	$48.35	16
   19	Peraton	$99,720	$47.94	44
   20	SABIC Innovative Plastics	$97,917	$47.08

4. Writing a chief scientist job description

   A chief scientist job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a chief scientist job description:

   Chief scientist job description example

   • Design, architect, model, and implement systems for RF applications
   • Lead team members to plan, implement, and interpret results from internal and external test activities
   • Write design documents, simulation and test reports, and system documentation.
   • Present to internal and external collaborators

   Qualifications

   BS 12-15, MS 10-13. Phd 10+

   • Requires an Active US Secret Clearance.
   • 15+ years of experience developing and working with signal processing systems, working with large teams, and analyzing experimental data
   • 12 to 15 years with BS/BA or 10 to 12 years with MS/MA or 7 to 9 years with Ph.D. Masters degree or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science or related field is preferred.
   • Active security clearance
   • Proficiency in Python and Matlab is required. Additionally, experience with C++ and other simulation and evaluation techniques will be helpful.
   • Multiple peer-reviewed publications on wireless signal processing
   • Experience with leading large teams for DoD projects. Must work well collaboratively and individually
   • Strong written and spoken communications/presentation skills

   Peraton Overview

   Peraton drives missions of consequence spanning the globe and extending to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. As the world's leading mission capability integrator and transformative enterprise IT provider, we deliver trusted and highly differentiated national security solutions and technologies that keep people safe and secure. Peraton serves as a valued partner to essential government agencies across the intelligence, space, cyber, defense, civilian, health, and state and local markets. Every day, our employees do the can't be done, solving the most daunting challenges facing our customers.

   An Equal Opportunity Employer including Disability/Veteran.

   For Colorado Residents Colorado Salary Minimum: $99,900
   Colorado Salary Maximum: $242,300
   
   The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position, and is just one component of Peraton's total compensation package for employees. Other rewards may include annual bonuses, short- and long-term incentives, and program-specific awards. In addition, Peraton provides a variety of benefits to employees.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right chief scientist for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your chief scientist job on Zippia to find and recruit chief scientist candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit chief scientists, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new chief scientist

   Once you've selected the best chief scientist candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new chief scientist. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a chief scientist?